From the Guidelines
For individuals who are not sexually active, it is still recommended to begin cervical cancer screening with Pap smears at age 21, regardless of sexual activity status, with a frequency of every 3 years from ages 21-29, as stated in the guidelines by the American Cancer Society 1. The general guideline is to have a Pap smear every 3 years from ages 21-29. From ages 30-65, screening can be done every 3 years with a Pap test alone, every 5 years with high-risk HPV testing alone, or every 5 years with a combination of Pap test and HPV testing (co-testing), according to the American Cancer Society guidelines 1. Some key points to consider include:
- Women aged 21 to 29 years should receive cytology screening every 3 years, and HPV testing should not be used for women in this age group, unless for follow-up of atypical cells of undermined significance 1.
- Women aged younger than 21 years should not be screened regardless of their age of sexual initiation, as stated in the guidelines 1.
- Women should discontinue screening after age 65 years if they have had 3 consecutive negative cytology tests or 2 consecutive negative cotest results within the 10-year period prior to ceasing screening, with the most recent test occurring within the last 5 years, as recommended by the American Cancer Society 1. Even without sexual activity, cervical cancer screening is important because HPV infection, which causes most cervical cancers, can occasionally be transmitted through non-sexual routes, and other rare forms of cervical cancer can develop independently of HPV. The screening can be discontinued after age 65 if there is a history of adequate negative screening results and no history of high-grade precancerous lesions. If you've never been sexually active, your risk of cervical cancer is very low, but screening is still recommended according to age-based guidelines since the risk is not zero. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific situation, as they may recommend a personalized screening schedule based on your individual risk factors.
From the Research
Frequency of Pap Smear for Non-Sexually Active Women
- There is no specific evidence in the provided studies that directly addresses the frequency of Pap smears for non-sexually active women.
- However, the studies suggest that the frequency of Pap smears depends on various factors such as age, risk factors, and previous abnormal results 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- For example, a study published in 1989 recommends annual cervical smears after beginning sexual activity until age 35 and at 5-year intervals after that 2.
- Another study published in 2015 suggests that an annual colposcopy is advised for secondary immunodeficient patients instead of a Pap smear 3.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women between 21 and 29 years old have a Pap smear every 3 years, and women between 30 and 65 years old have a Pap smear every 3 to 5 years 2.
- It is essential to note that these recommendations are general guidelines and may vary depending on individual circumstances.
- Women who are non-sexually active may still be at risk for cervical cancer, and their healthcare provider may recommend a different screening schedule based on their individual risk factors 4, 5, 6.